SECOND OPINION - THE NEW DRUG WAR

The types of drugs that adolescents are illegally taking are changing.

The use of illicit street drugs, such as Ecstasy and cocaine, is
decreasing. However, this does not mean teenagers are taking fewer
drugs, they are just taking different drugs. Adolescents are now
illegally taking a greater number of prescription drugs than ever
before. For example, 7.2 percent of high school students have
reported the nonmedical use of sedatives, a significant increase from
prior years.

The use of the prescription drug Oxycontin has also increased during
the past two years. Other prescription drugs that are on the increase
are narcotics, amphetamines, tranquilizers and stimulants such as
Ritalin. Various reasons have been promulgated for the increase use
of prescription drugs and the decrease use of street drugs by teenagers.

One becomes obvious when you compare the media coverage of these two
groups of drugs. There are repeated stories concerning the dangers of
street drugs and reports of youngsters dying from overdoses. These
reports understandably scare the youngster. Compare those reports
with the many advertisements that now flood the media that espouse
the virtues and minimize the side effects of a whole host of
prescription medications. Adolescents, and perhaps adults too, get a
false sense of security concerning these drugs. It is estimated over
$4 billion is spent by the pharmaceutical industry to promote their
medications. It is very possible their role models -- their parents
- -- are taking the same medications. Although a prescription is
necessary for these medications, because so many people are taking
them they are frequently easily available and at no cost to the
teenager. The medical profession also bears some responsibility.
Physicians are sometimes too lax when it comes to prescribing these
medications to youngsters. So, parents, it is possible that although
your teenaged child is not taking street drugs, he or she may be
hooked on prescription medications, the same medications you may also
be taking.

Dr. Murray Feingold is the physician in chief of the National Birth
Defects Center, medical editor of CBS4 TV and WBZ radio, and
president of the Genesis Fund. The Genesis Fund is a nonprofit
organization that funds the care of children born with birth defects,
mental retardation and genetic diseases.